Movable fence for a machine tool

Abstract

An adjustable rip fence for a machine tool has a fence which is movable with respect to the cutting tool due to a rack and pinion. The rail assembly supporting the fence include a pair of stationary rails which are secure to the machine tool. A movable rail telescopically engages each stationary rail and the movement of each rail is accomplished by the rotation of a pair of pinion gears each of which engages a respective rack on the movable rails. The simultaneous rotation of the pinion gears is the result of both pinion gears being secured to a common pinion shaft which is rotatably secured to the machine tool. The telescoping nature of the rails allows for adjustment of the fence beyond the working surface of the machine tool.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for using a table saw comprising: 
       providing a table having a tool therein and having a first and a second stationary element;  
       providing a first and a second rail telescopically engaging the first and second stationary elements, respectively, said first rail and said second rail being extendable to positions where a majority of said first and second rails do not overlap said first and second stationary elements, respectively;  
       providing a first locking mechanism fixedly secured to the table and disposed between the table and the first rail;  
       providing a second locking mechanism fixedly secured to the table and disposed between the second stationary element and the second rail;  
       providing a locking member in engagement with the first and second locking mechanisms;  
       providing a supplemental support connected to the first and second rails such that it is movable to a position that does not overlap the first and second stationary elements;  
       moving the first and second rails and the supplemental support; and  
       actuating the locking member to engage the first and second locking mechanisms to simultaneously lock the first and second rails to the first and second stationary elements, respectively.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the supplemental support substantially coplanar to the table. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of actuating the locking member comprises rotating a single lever of the locking member. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of rotating the single lever comprises rotating the single lever about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first rail. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of actuating the locking member comprises rotating a lever about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first rail. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of actuating the locking member comprises applying pressure on the first rail. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of actuating the locking member locking the first and second rails comprises applying pressure on the second rail. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of actuating the locking member comprises moving the first and second locking mechanisms into engagement with said first and second rails.